Okra

(Abelmoschus esculentus) This African native and staple of the Deep South really thrives on heat! Slaves from Angola called okra “ngumbo” which became gumbo, a popular name for several okra dishes to this day. Does best when direct-sown into warm soil, but can be started earlier indoors and transplanted, so long as the young plants aren’t allowed to become root bound. Soil for okra need not be especially rich; plants are drought tolerant but produce more with adequate moisture. Keeping pods picked encourages further production.